The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-09-13
the ATLANTA.
Uncle Sans New Cruiser and Her
Big Guns.
New York Times.l

NEW YORK 1ime5.l
A recent visit to Newport, where the yes-
sells Of the North Atlantic squadron are at
anchor, afforded much desired opportunity
Of visiting the steel cruiser Atlanta, which
was improved and was productive of con-
siderable interesting information regarding
the practical working of many of the new
fittings of this modern craft, which really
seems to be very fine vessel. much better
than any the United States has ever before
had in its navy. There can hardly be
doubt that the experience this vessel has
passed through will result in great benefit
to those now building. As the round Of her
decks is made and machinery inspected, one
is impressed with her strength as fighting
craft, and with the possible speed at which
she can be driven. She is not an armor
clad, as is the opinion Of many who tn ink
because she is constructed of steel she must
be intended to combat the armor clads Of
other nations, but with her steel deck to pro-
tect her vitals, and with gun shields to pro-
tect her crew from machine gun pr0lectlleS,
she strikes the observer as being very
superior vessel. Curiosity induced inquiry
been sustained from the firing of her
guns while at Gardeners Bay, as well as
whether any i'll effects had resulted from the
recent practice In Buzzard's Bay and out
side Newport Harbor. Apparently. reports
as to damage from the fire Of her S-inch guns
have been Somewhat exaggerated and moth
ing can be seen that gives weight to re-
Gently expressed opinion that her ordnance
is failure. Most decidedly the contrary
has been proved by the latter mentioned tar
get practice previously referred to, in which
her 6-inch guns were fired, and which has
resulted in her wearing the much-coveted
gunnery flag as a proof Of her having made
the highest score, her merit being over twice
that Of the next vessel in order. Her guns
carry with them an idea Of great power, and
their model Is decided departure from any
seen aboard the old-time craft, being very
much longer and of smaller diameter In pro-
portion to their length. The sights and
breech-closing apparatus also snow much
| improvement over older methods, and con-
| duce to combination of celebrity and accu-
racy. the much desired requisites. The
| action of the new carriages after the gun has
been fred receives the highest praise from the
| officers who have been in charge during the
| firing, the recoil of the gun being less sudden
and severe than was formerly the case, and
| the automatic return of the gun after the ex-
| plosioD to its firing position very neat and
| sure Of action. Altogether the admiration
| manifested for the new artilleryis very graf
| fying to those who have taken an interest in
| naval matters since the advance OF the
| United States Navy has become an assured
| fact. One peculiar result was noticed from
| the consumption of the new slow burning
powder. A palpable white dust permeates
everything, and any one remaining on the
battery deck during the firing has very much
| the appearance of having passed through a
| grist mill. The limit Of fighting ability as
set at 1000 yards as the effective distance fol
old-time guns to engage, can now be very
greatly extended with the improved sight.
and greater carrying power, and what was
once considered as game at long bowls will
now be well within the short range limit
Taken altogether the flag flying at the At
lanta's fore can be considered as fitting
tribute to the great advance our guns have
made and the success that has been achieved
in their construction.